SS Rota Wreck in Lyme Bay

The Rota was a 300ft steamer torpedoed by UB 40 now lying 7 miles SE of Berry Head in 48m of water with the shallowest point being 36m. A superb technical / deep dive, but can be dark!

Dive Site Name: RotaDive Type:Wreck Dive

Max Depth Seabed:48m Depth to top of Wreck:36m

Approximate Position:50 24 98N 003,18.92W

Tonnage: 2171tonnes Length:94.6m Cargo:Iron Ore

Date Lost:22/07/1917How Lost:Torpedoed UB 40

Minimum Qualification: Deep / Technical Diver (Or Equivilent)

SS Rota was built by Dunlop Bremner & Co. Ltd. Port of Glasgow yard#285 and launched on the 10th February 1915. She was originally owned by a Danish firm Dansk-Russiske D/S (Dampskibs-Selskab = Steamship Company) Copenhagen and at the time of her sinking was operated by Furness, Withy & Co. Ltd., London (requisition). The SS Rota was a British steamer of 2171 tons.

On July 22nd, 1917 the SS Rota was on passage from Benisaf (Algeria) to Middlesbrough with a cargo of iron ore. She was spotted by UB-40 commander Oberleutnanant Hans Howaldt 7 miles SE of Berry Head. Howaldt had already sunk the Salsette 2 days previously and had been heavily depth charged and tracked by surface vessels.

Although she was aremd defensively with a stern gun (stll present) she did not stand a chance when she was torpedoed by UB-40. She was hit on the starboard side between the bridge and the bows, the ROta sank quickly with the loss of 5 lives including the master.

She lays in 48m of water although we have had over 50m recorded in the scour. She is reasonably intact and is upright on the seabed.